Elkhead Reservoir State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- $12 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- cpw.state.co.us970-276-2061
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Partial closure ClosuresThe Elkhead Reservoir boat ramp is CLOSED to motorized boats for the season. Hand launching is still available at the northeast Access and Greenwood… (more)
The Elkhead Reservoir boat ramp is CLOSED to motorized boats for the season. Hand launching is still available at the northeast Access and Greenwood cove area's.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Elkhead Reservoir State Park is a park in Moffat County, about 9 miles east of Craig.
Popular activities here are off-highway vehicle riding, snowmobiling, winter sports, hunting in season, and boating. Its trail network totals roughly 10.5 miles, according to the park. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites and tent sites.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Office | Sun–Thu | 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. | — |
| Fri, Sat | 8 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. | — | |
| Not stated | 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — | |
| Visitor center | Sun–Thu | 8 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. | — |
| Fri, Sat | 8 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. | — | |
| Campground — Yampa Camper Services Building | Not stated | 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Sun.-Thurs. 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. at Yampa River State Park Headquarters: 6185 U.S. Highway 40 Hayden, CO 81639 Yampa Camper Services Building: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Elkhead does not have a Visitor Center. Instead, visit the Yampa River State Park Visitor Center and park office located at 6185 US-40, Hayden, CO 81639, on Highway 40 between the cities of Craig and Hayden.
Yampa Visitor Center Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. at the Yampa River Visitor Center
Yampa Camper Services Building: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $12 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $17 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $4 · day |
Official wording
Daily Vehicle Pass: $12-$17 Individual Daily Pass: $4
Colorado park passes
- Keep Colorado Wild Pass — $29. Annual vehicle entry for Colorado residents, bought with DMV vehicle registration Details
- Individual Annual Pass — $29. Non-vehicle entry (foot, bike, horse) for passholder plus three accompanying visitors; resident or nonresident Details
- Family Annual Pass (hang tag) — $120. One household; transferable between vehicles Details
- Annual Affixed Vehicle Parks Pass — $80. One vehicle; resident or nonresident Details
- Aspen Leaf Pass — $70. Colorado residents 64+, vehicle registered in Colorado; $3/night camping discount Sun–Thu Details
From the Colorado state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- CPWshop (Aspira/Brandt reservation platform)
- Phone
- 1-800-244-5613
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Animals permitted: Leashed Dogs, Service Animals, Horses Elkhead Reservoir is pet friendly. All pets must be under control and on a maximum six-foot leash at all times, and not attached to any park signs, trees, shrubs or hydrants. Pets may not be left unattended, and pet owners must promptly clean up after their pets. Leashed pets are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas and on designated trails.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Elkhead Reservoir State Park
Relax after your day on the lake or trails at one of Elkhead Reservoir’s campgrounds.
Reserve Now
Whether you’re looking for a modern camping experience or something more rustic, Elkhead Reservoir has something for you.
Lakeshore camping means you can easily get back to your water adventures.
Five children hanging out next to a campfire
A hotdog being roasted on an open flame
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Wildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingOff-highway vehiclesPicnickingWinter sportsSnowmobilingSwimming
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat Ramp to Dam | 0.5 mi | Easy | 0.5 miles Hiking, biking, snowshoeing ADA accessible Pet friendlyAccessible |
| Ski Beach Overlook | 0.1 mi | Easy | 0.1 miles Hiking, biking, snowshoeing Dog friendly |
| Bears Ears Loop | 1.4 mi | Easy | 1.4 miles Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing Pet friendly |
Trail descriptions from the park
There are approximately 10.5 miles of trails at Elkhead Reservoir for hiking and biking. Take a picnic with you and hike along the reservoir, or go to the north end of the reservoir for a more remote experience.
Swimming
0.9 miles
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing
Dog friendly
1.1 miles
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing
Dog friendly
Boating and paddling
2 miles
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing
Dog friendly
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Picnic areas
- Drinking water: not available (stated by the park)
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Elkhead Reservoir offers both electric and non-electric campsites across two campgrounds. Amenities include fire pits, parking pads, picnic tables, shade shelters and restrooms. Many of these campsites are near the shoreline and may be accessible by boat. There are six ADA-accessible campsites available. No water or dump station is available at this park, but dump stations at Yampa River State Park, 12 miles west, may be used starting May 1. Winter camping is not available at Elkhead Reservoir.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
Elkhead Reservoir is open for camping from May 1 to November 30 each year. When you camp at Elkhead Reservoir State Park, check-in time is 1 p.m. on the day of arrival and check-out time is 12 p.m. (noon) on the day of departure. A maximum of six people, two motorized vehicles and only one camping unit is allowed per site. A camping unit is defined as one motor home, one trailer or one tent. We ask that you keep all vehicles on the campsite parking pads. Parking on vegetation may result in a fine.
Getting there
- Address
- 135 County Road 28
Craig, CO 81625 - Nearest town
- Craig — about 9 mi east (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 40.5629, -107.3892
- Phone
- 970-276-2061
- yampa.river@state.co.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Directions From Craig Travel East on Highway 40 approximately 7 miles until you reach MCR 29. Turn left on MCR 29 and continue north for 4 miles. Turn right on MCR 28 to enter the park. Continue on MCR 28 across the dam to reach Bear's Ears Campground.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Colorado State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 1, 2026
- CPW website Drupal JSON:API, node type state_park (43 published nodes; same store that renders /state-parks/{slug})
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology